Gaur's pleasant sleep was disrupted by an irritating banging sound. In attempt to block the noise she kept a pillow over her head, but it was ineffective.

Gauri: kaun?
(Who?)

She shouted being extremely frustrated. Her hand hit the side table multiple times before she could pick her a phone in her hand. She kept it on her ear and sleepily answered.

Gauri: hello

She got no response, and it bugged her even more. Only then did she realise that the sound was coming from the door

Gauri: aaye!
(Come in!)

She shouted at with as much energy she had.

Anika: locked hai
(It's locked)

Gauri simply groaned in exasperation. She slid out of bed with minimal effort and finally got her wobbling legs to carry her to the door. On her way down back to the floor, she twisted the key to the door which allowed Anika to enter. Here she looked in disbelief at her lazy younger sister.

Anika: darvaasa band kyu tha?
(Why was the door closed?)

Her arms were crossed along with her tapping feet, indicating her wait for a reply.

Gauri: thaaki kohi meri NEEND NAA KHARAB KARDE
(So that no-one DESTROYS MY SLEEP)

The volume of her voice rose up as she snapped back.

Anika: challo uth jaa aab
(Okay now get up)

Gauri: aapki behn America se aayi, jet lag se suffer kari hai aur aap usse sone nahi dete. Kya yaar?
(Your sister came from America, she's suffering from jet lag and you won't let her sleep. What is this?)

Anika shook her head at Gauri's remark. The girl had the audacity to climb back onto the bed as well, pulling the pillow closer to her.

Anika: acha mein office jaari, tu bhi ready ho jao. Mein tujhe aab batari, yeh ek chota sa business hai, bohot bada nahi. Sirf kuch 1-2 saal pehle shuru kiya aur abhi thak unke kohi bada deal nahi ban chuki. Hum sab ka jaana bohot zaroori hai, samjhi?
(Right I'm going to office, you also get ready. I'm telling you now, this is a small business, nothing big. Only 1-2 years ago they started and they haven't locked any big deals yet. Our every employee's going there is compulsory, understood?)

Gauri: haa haa, lekin nahi. Mujhe aur sona hai
(Yeah yeah, but No. I want to sleep more)

Her tantrums continued as she shook her head vigorously and snuggled into the bed sheets.

Anika: Gauri

Her voice became more stern, alerting Gauri that she shouldn't refuse.

Gauri: kyu naa mein 2 ghante ka alarm lagao, tab thak mujhe sone de naa. Please Di?
(Why don't I keep an alarm for 2 hours , until then I sleep. Please Di?)

Gauri said that she wouldn't refuse, but what harm is a little negotiation? She pleaded after seeing the time was only 7 am and hoped for a yes

Anika: theek hai phir, lekin agar tu mere call karne se pehle uthi nahi, toh tu dekh bachu
(Okay then, but if you aren't awake before I call you then you watch)

She finally gave in, after all she was on a plane for about 14 hours.

Anika: Gauri?

Leaning over, Anika discovered that she had slept off, so quietly she left to attend office. Again as been going for the previous week now, Shivaay dropped Anika at the office. He waited for her to go inside before leaving.
Two hours into her office day, Anika decided to call up her sister and check if she was still lazing around.

Gauri: haa Di, bolo
(Yes Di, say)

Anika: oh, tu uth gayi?
(Oh, so you woke up?)

Gauri: haa, tiyaar hori hoon mein
(Yes, I'm getting ready)

Gauri replied whilst applying her lipstick.

Anika: breakfast kar liya?
(Did you have breakfast?)

From the corner of her eye, Gauri noticed Omkara walking past, so she decided to play a little game with him. Her free hand quickly grabbed the blush from the table and applied the product on her face, giving a natural hue

Anika: Gauri?

Gauri: Khalungi Babes, aap chinta maat kar
(I'll eat babes, you don't worry)

Babes? Both Om and Anika thought this.
In Om's case, his tracks stopped and he lurked around the door to find out more about the mystery caller. He recalled her saying she was single, but then who was this?
Anika on the other hand was a little confused

Anika: babes?

Her perplexed self asked Gauri

Gauri: Ese bolte hai, apne loved ones ko
(We say that only, to our loved ones)

Anika may have bought that story, but that was when Om noticed the slight red hue on her face. She was blushing? Really?

Gauri: acha hum dono kab mil paayege? Bohot dher ho chuki hai
(Okay when will we be able to meet? It's been a long time)

The way she took her hairbrush and ran it through her hairs made her seem all the more dreamy. She looked as if she was immersed in the conversation and trapped in love's spell.

Anika: Gauri humne bas 2 ghante pehle  ek doosre ko dekha, tujhe ho kya gaya?
(Gauri only 2 hours back we saw each other, what has happened to you?)

Her odd behaviour confused Anika even more. Om, however, felt betrayed. Okay, she had a boyfriend. But no need to get all his hopes high and say she's single.

Gauri: okay baby, mein apna khyaal rakhungi. Aap bhi rakhiye
(Okay baby, I'll take care of myself. You also look after yourself)

Anika: Gauri tu... tu sach mein pagal hai, mein rakthi
(Gauri you... you're actually crazy, I'll put the phone down)

At this moment, Gauri acted as if she only just noticed Om stood at the door. He realised that he was caught, so he prepared himself with an excuse.

Gauri: I love you so much too, bye

She finally got up and keeping the brush and phone to a side and walked towards Om.

Om: Boyfriend?

Gauri nodded and smiled, her 'blush' was showcased to him.

Om: lekin kal aapne bola tha ki you're single?
(But yesterday you said that you're single?)

Gauri: kal toh meine yeh bhi bola ki mein shaadi shudhi hoon
(Yesterday I also said that I'm married)

She thought to play this game a little longer. Plastering a wide smile on her face, Gauri waited for his response.

Om: voh toh jhoot....
(That was a lie....)

Gauri: toh kya guarantee hai ki 'mein single hoon' bhi ek jhoot nahi tha?
(So what guarantee is there that 'I'm single' was also a lie?)

Gauri was sure not to miss out on making air quotation marks for the single part. This made Om ponder, whatever she's saying is perfectly viable. Hearing no response, Gauri again questioned.

Gauri: kuch kehna chaate ho aap?
(Would you like to say something?)

Om: 'Dil ke armaan, aasuyo mein beh gaye. Hum kuware the, kuware hi reh gaye'
(The hearts desires, swept away in tears. I was a bachelor, and I remain a bachelor)
(Thanks sidlove143 much appreciate 😊)

Gauri: kuch kaha?
(Did you say something?)

Great, she didn't hear. Play it casual Om.

Om: no, meine kuch nahi bola
(No, I didn't say anything)

Too bad Mr, I heard that. Gauri chuckled on the inside but maintained a straight face on the outside.

Gauri: theek hai, kam se kam yeh batao ki aap yaha kyu aaye?
(Okay then, at least tell why you came here?)

The man nervously glanced across the whole room, as if the answer to the question was plastered on a wall somewhere. Luckily, he noticed Rudra walking in their direction. He stopped in his tracks after seeing Om's worried face. Through small facial expressions and hand gestures, he asked his younger brother about the reason of him coming here. In response Rudra pointed to the wall beside him, belonging to Gauri's room. He also made an action where he was eating, and by this Om understood why he came

Om: Mein isi liye aaya tha, tujhe batane ke liye ki breakfast tiyaar hai
(I came here, to tell you that breakfast is ready)

He told Gauri confidently, then saved himself from the situation by running away. Gauri shook her head before coming out, on the way where she collided with Rudra

Gauri: Rudy, right?

Rudra: haa Di
(Yes Di)

He took a few steps to go ahead of her, before freezing in his tracks and reversing to join her

Rudra: vese Gauri Di, aapke paas kohi aur choti behn hai? Iss process mein humara bhi setting ho sakta
(By the way Gauri Di, do you have any other younger sister? In this process mayne we can set me up with someone as well)

Gauri: chall
(Go)

She playfully snapped back at him, and he sighed at his fate

Rudra: aap pehle jao
(You go first)

After offering like a gentleman, he followed her to the table and joined the family for breakfast. Here she got an introduction of everyone and managed to present herself too.

As the day progressed, the receptionist of the newly-founded Mehra Company had just returned from his lunch break. He adjusted the water bottle on his desk before resuming the work he left off. Soon a smartly dressed man approached him at the counter. That man was no other than Shivaay Singh Oberoi, but then again how would the receptionist know?

Shivaay: excuse me, I'm here for Anika Trivedi

He casually rested his arm on the desk.

Shivaay: actually tera naam kya hai?
(Actually What's your name?)

Receptionist: Sir, it's Mohan

Shivaay: okay, aab batao
(Okay, now tell)

Mohan: aap kaun?
(Who are you?)

Shivaay: tera baap, aur kaun?
(Your father, who else?)

Mohan: lekin mera baap toh ghar pe hai
(But my father is at home)

Stunned at the reply, Shivaay removed his shades and looked at the guy.

Shivaay: tujhe sach mein laga ki mein tera.... Hai bhagwaan
(You really thought that I'm your.... Oh God)

His answer made Mohan instantly begin to look around the office, as if he were desperately searching for something.

Shivaay: Maanav...

The worker abruptly looked up to correct him

Mohan: 'Mohan' , Maanav nahi

Shivaay: yeah whatever, tell what's wrong?

Mohan: mein camera's ko dhoond raha tha
(I was looking for the cameras)

Shivaay: camera's? Kyu?
(Camera's? Why?)

His inquisitive self curiously asked the receptionist.

Mohan: kyuki Indian Star Wars ka filming hora hai, naa?
(Because the filming for the Indian Star Wars is going on, right?)

Shivaay had no words to reply with. What...had he just witnessed?

Mohan: isi liye aapne bola ki aap mere baap ho, jese voh monster apne bete Luke ko batata. Varna aap ese kyu bolenge? Oh ek aur baat, aapne line galat bol diya. 'Mohan, mein tera baap hoon' esa hona chahiye
(That's why you're saying that you're my father, like that monster tells his son Luke. Otherwise why would you say that? Oh one more thing, you said the line incorrectly. It should be like 'Mohan, I am your father')

Shivaay's jaw dropped listening to that weird and wacky thing.

Shivaay: okay Rohan...

The receptionist again looked at him, a little disappointed.

Mohan: 'Mohan' M-O-H-A-N, 'Mohan'

Shivaay: Mohan Rohan Shohan, whatever it is, just tell me where your boss is, Ishaan Mehra?

Mohan: third floor, bye sir

He waved as Shivaay walked to the lift. On his way he was muttering under his breath.

Shivaay: Haye Bhagwaan, mujhe pata hai ki mein apne receptionist Ved ke baare mein complain karta. Lekin please mujhe ese jese receptionists nahi chahiye. Ved kaafi hai aur mein phirse kohi tantrum nahi banauga. Please
(Oh God, I know that I complain about my receptionist Ved. But please don't give me a receptionist like this one. Ved is good enough and I won't shown any more tantrums. Please)

He pleaded and soon he reached Ishaan's office. A few knocks and he was invited inside.

Shivaay: Mr Mehra

Hearing the voice he hastily got up and greeted him.

Ishaan: Good Afternoon Mr Shivaay Singh Oberoi, Sir

His words were easily fumbled up when he saw Shivaay standing in front of him. The panic on his face represented how nervous he was

Ishaan: mein aapke liye kya kar sakta?
(What can I do for you?)

Shivaay chuckled seeing him hesitate so much and a smirk spread on his face.

Shivaay: voh deal yaad hai?
(Do you remember that deal?)

Ishaan nodded, and soon began to relax

Shivaay: chill yaar, mein yaha voh paper sign karne ke liye aaya
(Chill man, I'm here to sign the papers)

Ishaan: oh, I see.

He laughed in embarrassment, there was no need to be scared

Shivaay: sorry man, I came of as quite intimidating

Ishaan: quite? Saale mujhko dara liya
(Quite? Man you scared me)

Shivaay: toh shuru karein?
(So let's start?)

Ishaan invited Shivaay to take a seat at the table, and pulled out a form of papers. He then gave it to Shivaay, who carefully read the whole clause.

Ishaan: by the way, sab kuch theek chalra?
(By the way, is everything going well?)

Shivaay: bohot acha, tu batao
(Very good, you tell)

Ishaan smiled at his college senior. Shivaay was in his last year when Ishaan started as a fresher, so they had a brief friendship. Not that they talked much, but acknowledged each other and often Shivaay helped him. Forever, Ishaan looked up to Shivaay as a role model however he was scared and frightened of him.

Ishaan: mujhe phirse Thank you bolna, iss deal ko finalise karne ke liye
(I need to say Thank you again for finalising this deal)

Shivaay: Meine tera pledge dekha aur mujhe lagta ki yeh bohot acha idea hai. Paise ke badle mein, mujhe sirf 10% profits chahiye
(I saw your pledge and I think it's a great business idea. In return for the money, I would like 10% of profits)

Ishaan: done

They shook hands on the deal and Shivaay stood up.

Shivaay: vese Anika kesi hai?
(How is Anika?)

Ishaan: voh bilkul nahi bolri thi pehle, lekin aab small talk shuru hua. Actually aaj subha usko laga ki voh late thi, aur bohot bolri thi, shayad more than she has the whole week.
(Before she wouldn't speak at all, but now she's started a little small talk. Actually this morning she thought she was late, and she started speaking a lot, maybe more than she has in the whole week)

Shivaay smiled at this. Maybe now that her sister had come back, she will be happier. His thought was broken with a knock on the door and a familiar voice.

Anika: aap?
(You?)

He spun around and Ishaan also got up

Shivaay: mein yaha deal sign karne aaya
(I came here to sign a deal)

Anika: okay

She turned to her boss and kindly requested

Anika: Sir mein half din le sakti? Saara kaam katham kar liya
(Sir can I take a half day? I finished all the work)

Ishaan: yes Anika

Anika: thank you

She quickly left and Shivaay got up to leave. He spun around and spoke to Ishaan

Shivaay: do something about your receptionist

Ishaan was a little confused

Shivaay: kuch bhi bolta
(He says anything)

He remembered then, and explained the situation.

Ishaan: voh bas temporarily yaha hai, doosri receptionist surgery mein thi. Voh agle hafte vaapis aayegi
(He is just here temporarily, the other receptionist had a surgery. She'll be back next week)

Shivaay: makes sense, acha mein chalta
(Makes sense, Okay I'll go)

Shivaay finally left the office and bumped into Anika at the lobby.

Shivaay: mein tumhe lift deh sakta?
(Can I give you a lift?)

Anika: yes please

He guided her to the car and she carefully took her seat

Shivaay: I heard ki tujhe apni behn ke saath hospital jaana hai?
(I heard that you want to go to the hospital with your sister?)

Anika: ji haan, Tej Uncle se milne ke liye
(Yes, to meet Tej Uncle)

Shivaay nodded, and waited a long while before the silence was broken

Anika: do you have a girlfriend?

Shivaay: excuse me?

His eyes widened as he also smirkat her question. In his perspective, it sounded as if she had some sort of interest.

Anika: girlfriend?

Shivaay: haa kaafi saare
(Yes quite a few)

Anika: Oh Bete Ki

This response made her jaw drop and eyebrows raise. A few girlfriends? What was he, a player?

Anika's pov: kya kya meine socha tha, lekin yaha iske multiple girlfriends hai
(What all I had imagined, but here he has multiple girlfriends)

She told herself in her head.

Shivaay: no, mera matlab tha ki friends who are girls. Lekin mere paas kohi girlfriend nahi hai
(No, I meant friends who are girls. But I don't have a girlfriend)

He quickly replied seeing her shocked impression.

Anika's pov: Thank God yeh single hai. Agar mujhe ese fantasies sapno mein dekhna hai toh committed logo ke saath thori naa sochte. Ek mint, mein kab esi cheapde ban gayi? Pakka iss SSO ka kaam hai
(Thank God he's single. If I want to see such fantasies in my dreams then it shouldn't be with committed people. One minute, from when did I become so cheap? Definitely it's the work of SSO)

She again ranted out in her head. In the process of her wild and obvious hand gestures, her hand hit the hand on the gear stick. The current soon followed, sending shivers all the way down her spine.

Anika's pov: Haye bhagwaan, mujhe yeh SSO se bachao. Agar ese interactions hote rehte phir mein zaroor mar jaungi, matlab phas jaoungi pyaar ke chakkar mein
(Oh God, save me from this SSO. If such interactions keep happening, I'll die, I mean I'll get trapped in the spell of love)

With eyes raised to the almighty, she wished in her mind again. All the responses were still in her mind

Shivaay: pyaar ka chakkar mein, hmm?
(In the spell of love, hmm?)

Intrigued, Shivaay commented on her line.

Anika's pov: Oh Bete Ki, yeh toh minds bhi par sakta
(Oh god, he can read minds as well)

Shivaay: actually...sorry to burst your bubble but...

He didn't know how to tell her without making her drowning herself in guilt.

Shivaay: tum apne dimag ke saath baate nahi kari thi. Sab kuch tune aloud bol diya
(You weren't having a conversation with your brain, everything you said was out loud)

Anika: Oh Bete Ki
(Oh God)

She bit her tongue and tightly shut her eyes. What and all did she just blurt out? She sees fantasies of him? She'll be trapped in the spell of love? Just when she thought she hit the limit of embarrassment she went and spoke her thoughts out loud.

What would he be thinking of her? She's a psycho? Just over a week ago, they met for the first time and she has already indirectly confessed her crush. Well, he defiantly must think she's crazy. Before also she had started speaking her inner thoughts aloud.

In contrast, Shivaay was smiling like he's the crazy one. Of course his ridiculous smile alongside with his feelings were hidden by a straight fave, but even a small grin managed to appear. These small antics she found embarrassing were, in a way, cute.

Seeing her in the hospital for the first time, he got the impression that she was as serious as he is with his work. But obviously that didn't last long as soon enough Anika began blabbering. He chuckled remembering that, even though the haunting "Billu Bhaaiya" was part of the story.

Partly he was happy with her opening up and becoming that bubbly girl who doesn't stop talking. After her Father's last rites and her break down, it seemed that those two happenings gave all the events some closure. She was done grieving, and now ready to continue in real world.

Shivaay: it's okay Anika, mein kisi se kuch nahi kahoonga
(It's okay Anika, I won't tell anyone anything)

A huge sigh of relief came from her.

Shivaay: vese yeh poraani habit hai kya? Tune ese pehle bhi kiya
(By the way is this an old habit? You've done this once before)

Stammering, she didn't really know what to say. It wasn't a old habit or anything like that. It's just that since she met him, she'd been acting all strange. This couldn't even be controlled by herself.
But what would she tell him, that she's crushing like a mad woman on him? He probably already knows that by now, and this will just make matters worst.

Anika: jab mein tensed hoti, tab esa hota hai
(When I am in tension, then it happens)

Shivaay: hmmm, I see

I see? What's that supposed to mean?
Maybe we'll just have to wait and find out....

Precap: Shivaay face-to-face meeting with Anika gets a little too close and personal

Shivaay: current laga?

Anika: nahi... nahi ese kese nahi laga?

She stared at him, completely perplexed with why she wasn't getting a shock.

Shivaay: kyuki agar itni dehr ke liye tujhe shock lagta toh zinda nahi bachti

Anika: toh mein mar gayi? Yeh toh sach mein Jannat hai

In a trance, she dreamily spoke whilst getting lost in his blue-green, mesmerising eyes

************

Hi guys

Thanks for reading the 7th update of 'Dil Ki Kahaani'

So i hope it's cleared that Ishaan Mehra isn't a negative character but an old college acquaintance.
I did earlier plan to make him negative but soon changed my mind, maybe that's why he appeared a little dodgy at first.

Do drop your views in the comments section and share with others who might be interested in reading this story.

Also the delay was a little longer than I expected, so apologies for that.

And lastly, Thank you so much for the comments. Being a not-so-popular writer, it does mean a lot to see votes and comments coming in so feel free to let me know how your enjoying.

Signing Off for now...